Angry seas, moody skies and an even moodier hero – yes, Poldark is back, and it’s more lavish than ever before.

Between 1975 and 1977, the BBC adapted the first seven novels in Winston Graham’s saga, and it was a resounding success, so much so that when HTV attempted its own version in 1996, more than 50 members of the Poldark Appreciation Society protested outside HTV’s offices in Bristol, in full 18th-century costume.

Thankfully, the announcement of a new BBC adaptation didn’t spark the same reaction. In fact, it’s been rather eagerly awaited, and an exciting trailer has inspired a whole new generation to tune in.

For the uninitiated, the story begins in 1783, a time when Britain was in crisis thanks to falling wages, rising prices and civil unrest. Into this mess walks Ross Poldark, who’s back in his native Cornwall after spending time in America fighting in the War of Independence.

Playing him is Irish hunk Aidan Turner, whose appearance in period clothing – as well as a nude swimming scene spotted in the aforementioned trailer – has already sent pulses racing.

In recent years Turner has been the go-to guy for fantasy roles, lending his dark and brooding good looks to the supernatural TV series Being Human, and movies The Hobbit and The Mortal Instruments: City Of Bones.

“If it wasn’t a werewolf, a dwarf or a vampire, it wasn’t for me,” the Dublin-born actor says.

But his latest role is a far cry from such creatures.

“Playing a real person was great! That was a challenge in itself,” 31-year-old Turner says.

Based on the first two novels of Winston Graham’s saga, the action follows Poldark as he returns home from America to find his father dead, his estate in tatters and his childhood sweetheart Elizabeth engaged to his cousin.

Before landing the part, Turner hadn’t heard of Poldark. His parents, however, had been fans of the 1970s BBC adaptation starring Robin Ellis – and “nearly had a fit” when they heard their son would be heading up the cast.

Filming on location in Cornwall during “the best summer ever” was a particular highlight for Turner.

In episode one – after learning he has lost Elizabeth – Poldark meets street urchin Demelza Carne, who he takes in as a housemaid.

The flame-haired beauty is played by Eleanor Tomlinson, who has previously appeared in period dramas The White Queen and Death Comes To Pemberley.

“We met when Eleanor was auditioning with some other girls. She’s amazing, you can’t fake that sort of chemistry,” says Turner, who is rumoured to be dating Irish actress Sarah Greene.

“I think we brought a lot of ourselves to the characters... and she’s beautiful, it’s simple to fall in love with her.”

Appearing in the three Hobbit films “changed a lot of things” for Turner, who studied at the Gaiety School Of Acting in Dublin and cut his teeth in theatre before joining Being Human in 2009.

“Of course [The Hobbit] puts you on the map. Meetings are just easier to get now, and offers come in for projects a lot quicker, and more of them.”

But Turner admits he was lucky to bag such a high-profile role as Poldark – particularly without an audition.

“They took a punt really, but it all worked out. It was great to anchor a show like this and I was ready for it,” he says. “It’s what I was looking for.”